Giant Ants

No one is quite certain as to what caused the ants north of Milltown and Branishor to grow the incredible size that they have. Various theories have been shared including Balthazar’s meddling, drunken enchanters in a competition, and consumption of large amounts of power potions. Be that as it may, the ants exhibit some behaviour consistent with their smaller brethren. Workers and soldiers ants (called warriors in the Valorn vernacular) participate in the normal ant activities, albeit on a larger scale. Larva are protected and fed, the less said on that diet the better, and are found deep in the ant tunnels.

The tunnels themselves are sizeable enough for exploration and various scholars have descended into their depths in search of more knowledge. Some have even returned. To the inexperienced, the tunnels are a bewildering array of twists and turns, dead ends and confusion. The ants appear to have no difficulty in traversing them.

Although no ant queen has been seen in some time, speculation abounds as to how more larva are produced. Perhaps indeed these ants have slow maturing eggs, and we are seeing recently hatched larva from eggs that were laid years ago. Perhaps there are more uncharted depths in the tunnels beyond where intrepid souls have ventured and a queen lives there undisturbed. It is true that the deeper one descends in the hill, the fiercer the fighting may be.

While all the ants are similar in dark, hardened chitinous shells: their size, actions and coloration does distinguish them.

Larva

No hardened shells and they may only be found in nursery areas. They are whitish-yellow in shade and appear like sizeable slugs.

Young worker

Shell is lighter in shade and glossy. The young ant tends to dash about more, apparently still learning tasks in the hill.

Older worker

Shell is deeper in hue and less glossy. The older worker plods along with no extra movements or exertions. Due to size, armour pieces may be made from their shells. The mandibles make acceptable daggers if they can be secured undamaged.

Warrior

Shell is glossy and almost purple in hue. The warrior is larger than the worker and moves with steady deliberation. The mandibles are larger when compared to body size. As with the larger workers, armour pieces may be made from the shell.

Elder Warrior

Rarely seen. But this is the largest of the ant subspecies. Larger than the younger warriors, the elder warrior is the cream of the fighting crop. With increased age, the shell has dulled to a matte deep purple although occasionally a small remnant of gloss may be seen.

Ant legs are sometimes eaten as a delicacy in Valorn society. They are high in protein and the shell makes it easy to roast them. Specific recipes are difficult to come by, and the Grill which serves them considers it proprietary information.

Deagus Ferrah when asked about ants “GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH”

Topaz the Poet “Ant legs? I like them. Crunchy, with garlic.”

Adin Thrasher

Ant Ode

O, would that I have
in this poor form of man
the strength to do what
only the simple ant can


In bags the size of houses,
I could carry all my wine,
and drag it all behind me,
with everything else that'’s mine


O, would that I have,
in this poor form of man,
the senses to do what,
only the simple ant can


All my friends could hear me,
with my mouth closed shut,
when I invite them to a dinner,
of bowls of fruit and nuts


O, would that I have,
in this poor form of man,
the style to do what,
only the simple ant can
I would strut into the forest
with armor stronger than steel,
and mock the creatures saying,
“Ho ho! I am not your next meal!”


O, would that I have,
my friends and family following near,
and endlessly quest for the picnic food,
that my tummy holds so dear.


Here is to the Queen,
Sovereign of everything I know.
Ruler of ants and man,
to her I dedicate my show.